Looking at reasons that led to the #End-Bad-Governance nationwide protests, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu to reverse what it called his “ill-conceived” policies.
This was contained in a communique jointly signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja.
The communique was put together during the emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC on Wednesday.
NLC said those policies have plunged the country into an economic crisis leading to avoidable nationwide protests.
The labor union condemned the continuous trivialization of a treasonable felony by the government operatives occasioned by the protests.
It stated that it is a fundamental democratic right of citizens to protest and any attempt to suppress it through violence will not be accepted.
It also noted that the federal government cannot hope to stop a democratic protest by threatening the people.
NLC also warned against the brutality of the police against unarmed protesters who are already victims of the effects caused by the removal of subsidies on petrol and electricity tariffs.
There is also the damning effect of the devaluation of the Nigerian currency that has exacerbated the sufferings of the citizenry.
NLC noted that even if the government had said that the policy reforms were necessary to rejig the Nigerian economy, many Nigerians have been heavily affected by the ripple effects of the policies and, therefore, should be reversed.
It said: “The attempt to criminalize protest is completely deplorable, especially in a democracy. The hiring and use of sponsored thugs and divisive propaganda to scuttle the protests is most unfortunate.
“The NEC in session also frowns strongly at the unwarranted use of subterfuge on the congress by the government through the Federal Ministry of Labour as it concerns our rights to political participation.
“It noted the unprofessional and unethical conduct of the minister of labor through the registrar of trade unions in wilfully misdirecting a politically motivated letter to NLC. It is tendentious, mischievous, and provocative.
“In light of the concerns raised, the labor body called for the reversal of all the “ill-conceived policies that have led to the current economic crisis.
“Those responsible for these heinous acts must be held accountable, and justice must be served to the victims and their families.
“All the peaceful protesters held illegally and unconstitutionally in the government’s gulag must be freed without delay.
“The NEC-in-session urges the federal government to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the protesters, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to resolve all the issues at stake to end the national carnage.
“This is to avoid the NLC being compelled to direct its members to stay home for the safety of their lives.
“We demand the immediate withdrawal of that intrusive and misplaced unsolicited advice from the registrar of trade unions to avert industrial crisis as the congress and its affiliates will stop recognizing and relating with him.
“The NEC finally calls on all Nigerian workers to remain united and resolute in their demands for better governance. Solidarity is our strength, and together, we can amplify the voices of the people and demand justice and accountability.”
